Niagara University's Alliance provides 'Safe Place' for LGBT+ youth

Wed, Nov 23rd 2016 12:00 pm

By Andrew Benson

Niagara University's
Alliance has an annual program called "Awesome People Say Awesome Things," or
APSAT, that encourages students to get involved with a community they might not
necessarily have previously been in. Alliance is an organization on campus that
has sought to "provide a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQIA individuals and
allies." (That long acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
questioning, intersex and asexual; these are only the main identities associated
with the gay community.)

Alliance's mission is
to be a "student group established to work with the university, in addressing
needs and concerns related to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students
at Niagara University in ways that are appropriate to our Catholic and
Vincentian mission."

This organization
welcomes students who are part of the community, as well as ally friends,
because allies are always important and welcome to join. Alliance says it's
important for the community to know there are others who hear their voices.

Alliance provides a
safe space for members and also seeks to educate on LBGT+ issues. It gives back
to the community by providing information and love.

Many LGBT+ youth face
bullying or discrimination for their identity. Some people see the community as
different and refuse to accept them for being who they are. In college, one
meets people from various backgrounds and ideals that may not be accepting of
the community. So it is important, especially in college, for members of the
community to have a "safe place" to go to. That is partly what Alliance does.

We All Need A 'Safe Place'

NU's Alliance
establishes the "safe place" atmosphere, meaning everyone has a right to voice
their opinions without harsh or aggressive judgment. The "safe place" as "a
place to talk about issues in the world ... whether they're gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender or straight," the secretary of NU's Alliance said.

People that could be
safe places:

Professors

Counselors

Other
staff and faculty

All safe places are
identified by their safe place sticker. Many staff and faculty at Niagara
University have safe place stickers up for students to go to. It is essential there
are multiple outlets for students to go to. This way students can go to someone
they are comfortable with that makes them feel safe enough to discuss difficult
issues that they otherwise wouldn't want to. They refrain from "ridicule,
criticism ... microaggressions - subtle displays of racial or sexual bias - so
that everyone can relax," wrote Judith Shulevitz of the New York Times.

In these environments,
discussion is important and essential when driving emotional topics. "It lets
people who aren't in the community understand what it's like. It also helps to
give to students who are part of the community a voice and a place to express
themselves" Alliance's secretary said.

NU's Alliance has
already covered various topics of LGBT+ history.

LGBT+ History

In NU Alliance, members
cover many topics surrounding the community. Here is a list of some topics
already covered:

Sexual
and gender orientation

The
community in media

Coming
out

Stonewall
Riots

Laramie
Project

Stonewall Riots and
the Laramie Project are both great examples of negative treatment from the
general public. Both instances involve members of the LGBT+ community who were
treated unfairly. LGBT+ members were beaten or killed because of their identity
in the Stonewall Riots and Laramie Project. Because of the harsh treatment
toward the community, people thought it was necessary to spread awareness.

There are certain days
that were dedicated to the LGBT+ community. Some of the days discussed were
Bisexuality Awareness Week, which happened Sept. 19-26, as well Bisexuality Day,
which happens on Sept. 23. October was deemed the Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.
November was also deemed as the Transgender Awareness Month.

Courtesy of to
sexualdiversity.org, here are other important days:

Transgender
Day of Visibility - March 31

Lesbian
Visibility Day - April 26

Harvey
Milk Day - May 22

Pan
Visibility Day - May 24

LGBT
Pride Month - June

National
Coming Out Day - Oct. 11

Spirit
Day - Oct. 20

Intersex
Awareness Day - Oct. 26

There are quite a few
days, all used to spread awareness about those who identify with the community.
Many of these people face discrimination and hatred from those who aren't in
the community, which is why organizations like Alliance are important. Its
program, Awesome People Say Awesome Things, is another form of education and
awareness.

Awesome People Saying Awesome Things

Alliance has been organizing
APSAT for at least five years now. APSAT is a safe space and offers live events
with poems, spoken word pieces, videos, etc., that revolve around experiences
in the gay community. It happens annually and is typically showcased in the
spring during NU's Ridgefest. Each year, Alliance is looking for students, whether
they attend Niagara University or not, to get involved in the program.

Students are able to
submit a story, a poem, a song, etc., to be reviewed and entered in the
program. These pieces have to do something with the LGBT+ community. They can
be an experience, either your's or your friend's, or something borrowed from
the internet. Many performances have been re-enacted from videos online.
Submissions can be entered anonymously, and don't necessarily have to be
performed by the people who wrote them.

You can also volunteer
to be behind the creative team. APSAT needs artists. Alliance will greatly
appreciate any help, whether it be designing the program, creating a slideshow
or helping out during the event.

Why Say Awesome Things?

APSAT really brings
people together. The audience for APSAT 2016 almost doubled in size from the year
prior. Its "safe place" atmosphere makes peers and families feel comfortable.

The program also helps
to educate the general public about topics they may not be familiar with. It
can be a great way to get friends and family members comfortable with the LGBT+
community, if they are not already. This is a great way to get real-life
experiences, whether good or bad, they are all important. It also gives them an
opportunity to interact with their peers, and see them be passionate about
something. Exposing yourself to a wider audience shows a lot of courage and is
a chance that not many people take. It is a great way to get involved in the
LGBT+ community and the environment at Niagara University.

If you like writing,
performing and are passionate about the LGBT+ community, email the Niagara
University Alliance to become involved, meet new people, and work with a safe
and accepting group of people.